The Syrian Coalition’s representative in France, Munther Makhous, condemned the Assad regime’s continued blockade on Rukban camp near the Jordanian border, saying that these policies constituted war crimes.
Makhous said that the UN relief convoys have not entered the camp for about three months. He added that the humanitarian situation is further worsening due to the lack of food, health and medical equipment as well as the shortages of water in the desert camp.
The Assad regime and its allies are exerting pressure on the residents of the camp through the tight blockade and the blocking of the commercial convoys, Makhous said. He noted that the regime is seeking to force the residents of the camp to leave to areas of its choice, pointing out that the UN is seeking to end the blockade and reach those in need.
Makhos said he was in constant contact with the United Nations and the camp managemnt to coordinate humanitarian convoys and meet the needs of the camp residents.
Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Wednesday said that “the UN is currently awaiting approval from the Government of Syria on an operational plan submitted last week to assess needs inside Rukban, to assist with transport for people who wish to leave, and to provide humanitarian relief for those who decide to remain.”
“Our humanitarian colleagues are concerned about conditions in Rukban in southeastern Syria along the border with Jordan, where an estimated 25,000 displaced people continue to live in dire conditions,” Haq added.
Haq said the refugees have limited or no access to health care, basic food and other humanitarian assistance.
In April, the United Nations announced it stood ready to assist in relief operations for the residents of the camp which is under tight blockade by the Assad regime and Russian forces. Dozens have already died as a result of malnutrition and lack of medical care.
Residents of the camp earlier appealed to the US and the European Union for protection and for not leaving them easy prey to the Assad regime and its Russian ally. They stressed that the Assad regime must not be allowed to use food and medicine as a weapon against the camp residents to force them to leave to the areas under its control. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
